The Sad State of India’s Power Sector

While Asia’s third-largest economy has tried to revamp the once government-controlled industry, the report said it still has a long way to go if it wants to provide the power it needs to create jobs for its citizens and light their homes.

“Two decades after the initiation of the power-sector reforms (in 1991), an inefficient, loss-making distribution segment and inadequate and unreliable supply have become major constraints to India’s growth, job creation and aspirations for middle-income country status,” the report said.

Here are a few of the numbers found in the 250-page report.

$77 billion

Sector-wide total debt (2011).

250 Million

Number of people who got access to power between 2000 and 2010.

300 million

Number of people that lack electricity (2013).

12%

Percentage of power provided through renewable energy sources other than hydroelectric (2013).

58%

Percentage of power provided by burning coal (2013).

2 rupees - 3 rupees

Loss per unit of power sold in rural areas (2010).

$4.4 billion

Cost to other consumers to cover the rural electricity loses (2010).

52%

Percent of the energy subsidies that go to the country’s wealthiest 40% (2010).